Russian-issued “Mir” payment cards are now officially usable in Iran, according to a statement from the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as reported by TASS news agency.
The announcement marks the successful completion of the second phase of the integration between Russia’s “Mir” payment system and Iran’s Shetab system. With this development, Russian citizens visiting Iran can now make purchases using their “Mir” cards or through the Mir Pay application available on Android devices. Small transactions can be processed without the need to enter a PIN code.
The integration plan between the two countries' payment systems was first announced in the summer of 2024. The first phase concluded in November of the same year, enabling Iranian citizens to withdraw Russian rubles from ATMs in Russia.
Looking ahead, Iran and Russia plan to expand this financial cooperation further, with Iranian citizens expected to be able to use Shetab cards for payments in Russia. This initiative is seen as a significant step toward strengthening bilateral financial ties and boosting tourism exchange between the two nations.
